Project Respect is encouraging all local governments in Australia to pass laws requiring brothels to display signs stating that sex slavery is a crime in Australia and providing information on where to get help. See media release here.
 
The Cities of Melbourne, Moreland and Yarra are considering passing such laws. These signs will be an important way to reach women who may otherwise never know that they can access help and escape their servitude. Local governments in Victoria have responsibilities to prohibit slavery under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities and these laws will go some way to meeting those obligations. The Australian Capital Territory Labor party has also committed to passing such a law.
 
The City of Melbourne's draft law is available here:Anti Slavery and Sexual Servitude Local Law 2009.

 
Read media articles Brothels to spell out illegal slavery in The Age, Brothel signs furore in Yarra in The Melbourne Leader, and Sex slavery everywhere, writer warns, in the Canberra Times.
 
 
An except from a report by The City of Yarra regarding signage about sex slavery in brothels states:
 
"A challenge for society with slavery/trafficking for prostitution is being able to reach the women involved to inform them of their legal rights and of the illegal nature of sex slavery. An opportunity arises with the recent High Court decision, in that it has defined slavery in this country to include typical 'contracts' that Thai and other women experience.
 
With the backing of the High Court decision [regarding the Queen v. Wei Tang,] it would seem that there is a strong moral case for all levels of Government to within their legal prerogative, [to] try to suppress sex slavery, which could clearly include by drawing to attention and letting victims know their legal rights and situation.
 
It is considered within the authority of local government to make a Local Law for the purpose of requiring operators of Brothels in the City of Yarra to display a sign stating that sexual slavery is a serious crime, outlining what behaviours are covered by sexual slavery, informing women where to get help and for other people, and where to report crimes."